How can I review what is maybe the best novel ever written?
This gigantic novel is overflowing with humanity and life from the most wretched places.
In contrast to the movies (and musical?), the book provides Hugo’s politics and religion for 1,200 pages. This novel focuses on backstory or social environment leading to the French Revolution (with plenty of commentary on the American, including John Brown’s revolt). The movies includes most of the major plot points but miss the point of the novel–the social commentary on religion, criminal justice reform, and political economy. The films largely lack the depth of feeling and conflict that Valjean experiences at nearly all points (the Bishop, the Campmatheiu affair, leaving the convent, giving up Cosette, etc.). This is maybe the most pertinent example of movies lacking the depth of the novel. This is a very ethical novel which is missing from the movie.
Hugo spends a large amount of the 1,200 pages talking about religion, criminal justice reform, and economic policy. While the movies focus on Javert vs. Valjean, a relatively minor plot point which culminates in Valjean’s forgiveness.
In the end, this is a novel brimming with humanity and forgiveness. It provides a masterclass of pacing and tension building with interest rising throughout the novel. Valjean is a rich protagonist who faces constant moral dilemmas but always with a remembrance of Myriel.
This is a gigantic novel that is completely worth the time.
Leave a Reply